AL DEERE

The authorised biography of Air Commodore Alan Deere DSO OBE DFC* AFC

Bookplate signed by Al Deere on the half title page

Signed by 8 Battle of Britain aircrew

Bob Foster ~ Tom Neil ~ Tony Pickering ~ Ken Wilkinson
Terence Kane ~  Geoffrey Wellum ~ Michael Wainwright ~ Tim Elkington
+
Ian Blair ~ George Biggs ~ Edmund Creegan 

Published by Grub Street, 2003.    224 pages and lots of photos.

Fine condition book and unclipped dustjacket. Nearly as new.

After having joined the RAF in 1937, New Zealander Al Deere was in the thick of action right from the start of the war, serving with great distinction over France and Dunkirk in May and June of 1940. After surviving a crash-landing during a head-on attack he helped defend London and the south-east during the Battle of Britain effecting numerous escapes in tight combat situations.

He went on, variously, to command a flight in 602 Squadron, to lecture in America, to command the Kenley and Biggin Hill Wings and then to lead 145 French Wing in France before becoming Wing Commander Plans with 84 Group. Post-war saw him take up many more significant postings including Station Commander of North Weald, and Aide de Camp to HM the Queen. If it could be said that he ‘had a good war’,  he enjoyed an even better peace.

Richard Smith had the full co-operation of family, friends and colleagues in researching the source material to write the biography of this fascinating and exceptional man. The book also includes many of Deere’s letters and papers on the tactics and strategy of combat, and his hitherto unpublished story entitled ‘Escape’ based on the exploits of his friend Johnny Checketts who also contributed the foreword to this book.

A nicely signed posthumous biography of one of the most famous Battle of Britain pilots which complements his own classic book ‘Nine Lives‘.